The published FF.Net version.
Disclaimer: The author of this piece would like to state that 90% of the characters featured here are properties of BVS Entertainment Inc and not that of the author. 10% of the characters featured here are original creations of the author. Also, the author understands that this piece automatically negates events that occur any and all PR incarnations that occur after Power Rangers Wild Force. Just thought we should be clear on that.
-O-
In his office, Carter Grayson was frustrated. As the head of Lightspeed operations, he was faced with a lot of paperwork. Today, the paperwork came piling in more than usual. Casualty reports, damage reports, assessments, various other documents filled his desk and dressers. At times, he wished he was still on the Ranger team. This time, he wishes the new Rangers led by Chad Lee were alright.
Things seemed hopeless as Carter checked his Outlook for more potential e-mails about scared people wondering where their family and friends are. He was courteous enough to reply with a generic reply.
“We’re doing everything we can to find any survivors,” the message would say, “the best thing to do is keep your head up and pray.”
It seemed to be mostly that kind of message that filled his Inbox. Carter was just about to quit when one particular message caught his eye. This one was different from the rest. It was from Thomas Oliver.
-O-
Cole Evans and Jason Lee Scott stood atop the roof of the Turtle Cove animal shelter, staring at the large smoke cloud emanating from afar. As much as they wanted to, they knew they couldn’t do much to find out what was going on except wait for any news report or anyone associated with Lightspeed is willing to let out.
Jason placed a hand on Cole’s shoulder, trying to comfort the younger man, “We better go inside and continue with our day.” he suggested.
Both Red Rangers proceeded down the steps and into the storage area of the shelter. Cole decided to stick around and help out at the shelter while Jason left to make a few calls.
Cole told Jason, “If you get the chance, call Tommy.”
Jason seemed surprised by this, “Why?”
“Well,” the Wild Force Ranger began, “didn’t he mention that he had a command center someplace where he lived?”
Jason smiled and nodded at the rookie’s thought. Considering his “bro” had a control center under his house, it’s possible he knows something about the blast. He promptly rode his motorcycle to his friend…
-O-
From : Carter Grayson, Lightspeed Rescue
To : Thomas Oliver
Subject: Problems
Thanks for the spirit booster, Tom. You can’t imagine how much that makes me feel better.
Things have been really hectic this past day. The same can be said for today. It’s getting to the point where I may have to get a new hard drive just to store these millions of e-mails. People worried about their loved ones, their friends… we should have been better prepared.
No word on the Rangers that fought that bounty hunter… I think you called it a Varox at one time. My guess is that he had some sort of miniature nuclear weapon that was probably responsible for the blast and… all this. That has to be a good way to start off your career as a Ranger… Christ, this is tough on me. My friend Chad was the leader, the rest of them were rookies… I hate to assume the worst case scenario, but I have to accept the fact that they’re all dead… damn.
I have to go. Thanks again for the gesture. Carter
-O-
The Blue Lightspeed Power Ranger’s last known visual was the Red Ranger running from the Varox corpse. Soon after, a white light illuminated and then everything went black.
Upon regaining consciousness, he found himself laying near a jet with the markings “Yellow Eagle” on it. He stood up and say its pilot, Taylor. “Thanks” was the only thing he could come up with it.
Taylor heard the Ranger and rushed to him. “You shouldn’t push yourself,” she advised, “you were buried under several tons of rubble.” She was exaggerating of course, but the Ranger sat down slowly.
“You must be Chad Lee,” Taylor stated bluntly, “from Lightspeed Rescue.”
“Yeah,” the Ranger nodded, confirming his identity, “that’s me. And you are?”
“My name’s Taylor,” the former Yellow Wild Force Ranger told him, “I used to be a Ranger.”
Chad smiled at that remark, “You’re retired?”
“Yeah.”
“Smart move.”
The two shared a small giggle at that remark. Chad soon got serious again, “Did you find the other Rangers?”
Taylor shook her head slowly in disappointment. Chad looked down, feeling sad. Somehow, he believes he is to blame. Taylor couldn’t do much but offer a warm hug, to which Chad accepted.
“We’ll find them,” Taylor said, trying to comfort the distraught Ranger. But even she is uncertain of that statement.
-O-
From : Commander Carter Grayson, Lightspeed Rescue
To : Admiral Gordon Harris, Lightspeed Task Force
Subject : Reinforcements Requested
Admiral Harris, I am sending you this e-mail because all other avenues of communication has been severed by the incident involving the bounty hunter and the Lightspeed Rescue Rangers. I formally request the assistance of Lightspeed Task Force to aid in salvage and rescue operations. I understand that is not the primary focus of the division, but I do not see any other way.
I anxiously await your answer.
Carter Grayson, Commander
Lightspeed Rescue
-O-
Gordon Harris sat in his office in the main headquarters of the newly established Lightspeed Task Force, an organization which was founded by former Captain William Mitchell to handle missions that Lightspeed Rescue was not equipped for. He read the e-mail sent by Commander Grayson about a request for assistance.
Harris, a grey-haired gentleman in his mid-40s, pressed a button on his intercom system. A minute later, the door opened to let in a younger man in camouflage gear enter. He saluted the admiral, as it is with any military organization.
“As you were,” Harris told the soldier, “have a seat.”
The soldier sat down slowly. Harris handed the soldier a green binder with the Lightspeed emblem on the front cover. The emblem was the tradition one seen in Lightspeed Rescue, except the usually blue icon within the circle is red and the circle is orange in tone. The soldier opened up the binder to several text, diagrams, and other notes.
“That’s all the statistics concerning the Mariner Bay incident gathered through our networks,” Harris explained as the soldier looked through the pages of the document, “most of what you’re seeing is speculation, theories, anything that could be a possible scenario.”
The soldier looked up at the admiral. “Anything we DO know, sir?”
Harris nodded, “According to Lightspeed Intelligence, there was a sudden surge within the bounty hunter the Rangers were fighting just prior to the explosion.” A slight pause, the soldier stiffened as Harris continued, “the surge went off a few seconds after the hunter in question was slain by the Rangers.”
“With all due respect, sir,” the soldier interrupted, “that’s common knowledge within Lightspeed.”
Harris leaned closer to the soldier to whisper in his ear, “There is reason to believe that there is another one of those bounty hunters loose.”
The soldier stood up slowly, unable to understand. “Another one?” he asked.
Harris nodded, “Also within that document was reports of a two-man aircraft that was uncovered in the Amazon just three weeks ago.”
The soldier flipped through the pages to see some photographs, concept drawings of an alien spacecraft. As the admiral stated, there were two seats within the main cockpit of the craft. Further in the document showed two empty chambers under the nose of the aircraft, presumably where the power source of the ship was.
“I assume that whatever used to be in here,” the soldier stated, “was used as the ‘bomb’ in question.”
Harris nodded gravely.
The soldier placed the binder on Harris’ desk and stood straight, “What are your orders, Admiral?”
Harris opened his desk drawer and pulled out a blue folder, no markings on the cover. He passed it on to the soldier, who accepted it.
“I want you to form two teams,” Harris said, “one team will co-ordinate with Lightspeed Rescue to assist in their operations. The other team will seek out the other bounty hunter and stop him from destroying anything.”
“But Admiral,” the soldier asked with curiosity, “how will we stop him without forcing him to blow himself up?”
Admiral Harris slumped on his chair. By that reaction, the soldier got his answer, somewhat. He saluted and left the office. Harris stared at the binder. His soldier brought up an interesting point; how can a menace like be stopped?
-O-
From : Admiral Gordon Harris, Lightspeed Task Force
To : Commander Carter Grayson, Lightspeed Rescue
Subject : Request Granted
Commander Grayson. I have reviewed your request for assistance and have granted it. Reinforcements should be arriving tonight. Good luck.
Gordon Harris, Admiral
Lightspeed Task Force
-O-
Cole Evans woke up the next day in the basement of the animal shelter (he’s been living there since his Wild Force campaign ended). He turned on the television set and tuned to the News Network, hoping to see if more information on the blast was found. Another live news report aired, not on Mariner Bay. Cole read the byline displayed on the bottom of the screen.
OMINOUS SPACE CRAFT DESTROY ROGUE PLANET
“Oh no,” Cole said to no one in particular. His first instinct was to call Jason at his house.
“Hello?” Jason answered, as if he woke up just now.
Cole summed up the news report with a single phrase that seemed appropriate, “We have another problem.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
